Milestones and reflections – by Gill Moon Images

Hello, I’m Gill and I write a pictures weblog impressed by the landscapes of Suffolk and past. Please subscribe to learn extra of my writing and go to my web site to view my photos.

At the start of yearly I normally spend a while fascinated about what I’m going to do subsequent photographically. For me pictures is not only a passion, it’s my enterprise and my entire lifestyle so it is necessary for me to maintain it contemporary and galvanizing.

I’ve spent the Christmas and new yr interval in poor health with flu. This is a time after I would historically have been out with the digicam making photos for myself fairly than for any particular shopper or work undertaking. This yr I’ve been indoors champing on the bit to get out, annoyed by my lack of power and the frosty and snow situations that I used to be lacking.

So as a substitute of creating photos I’ve been planning new work, creating new workshops and including merchandise to my new website. I’ve additionally been fascinated about my main new undertaking for 2026 /27 and it’s one which has been a very long time coming.

I moved to Suffolk in July 2007, initially selecting to stay in the midst of the county earlier than transferring to the coast just a few years later. At the time Suffolk felt acquainted – it was a spot I visited usually in my youth, coming right here for weekends with my dad and mom to stroll, to swim within the sea or to observe birds at RSPB Minsmere. It was a spot I knew, however one which I didn’t actually really feel that I belonged to. Belonging comes with realizing and that takes time.

Almost 20 years later and I really feel a lot nearer to that state. Suffolk feels part of me and I really feel a contentment inside its landscapes.

For the previous few months I’ve been engaged on the thought of manufacturing a ‘Suffolk book’, stuffed with my photos from the final 20 years. A retrospective of types, however maybe extra of a love letter to the panorama that now looks like residence – and a spot the place I really feel I belong.

My plan is to make 10 photos this yr – keystone photos that I can use to intersect the primary physique of labor – photos that say who I’m as a photographer. And whereas I’m making these pictures I may even be crafting the e book. I’ve a portfolio of photos, a theme and loads of concepts, so this yr will all be about picture making, picture choice, sequencing, e book writing and design.

Projects are normally the problem I must really feel impressed, however they don’t need to be as giant because the one I’m trying this yr. Here are just a few concepts to refresh your picture making in 2026.

1. Find one thing small to be amazed at each day. Take the digicam and discover one factor of curiosity a minimum of as soon as per week. You don’t must go wherever particular or very removed from residence however discover one thing to take a look at and examine along with your digicam. It might be a plant, an object within the backyard or one thing on the backside of the road. Whatever it’s take a look at it with contemporary eyes and see how one can painting it along with your digicam. Look at it from all angles and viewpoints, play with aperture and depth of subject, {photograph} it in color and black and white. Depict it as an summary or with some context. However you {photograph} it just remember to actually take a look at it. Maybe you may even create a small physique of labor from this one merchandise?

2. Take a visit out and make a color examine. Pick one color and solely make photos that embody that color. You will probably be amazed how typically the color happens when you begin on the lookout for it, however additionally, you will discover how having a spotlight actually helps your pictures. Take this a step additional and create color pairs. Make one picture of the panorama after which decide a small scene from the identical panorama for a better shot. Make certain each photos have the identical color palette and tones. I’ve written about this idea earlier than and yow will discover extra particulars on this put up.

3. Visit a well-known place and inform a narrative in 9 photos. Pick out small scenes from a selected panorama that inform a narrative or create a theme a few sure place. Creating grids of photos is one thing I like to do and I actually discover it helps my picture making. I’ve written about this course of too and yow will discover a lot of useful information right here

4. Find a poem or piece of writing that you simply love and see if you may make some photos which are impressed by it. This is an thought I used in the summertime to create a home made zine. You can discover all of the data right here about this undertaking and two others that may additionally encourage some creativity. I’m additionally working a workshop in May that tacks this theme and I solely have two areas left if anybody wish to be part of us.

5. If you’re nonetheless feeling uninspired why not be part of my paid subscriber group the place I run a month-to-month problem to assist develop your panorama pictures. We have a special themed problem each month and weekly posts to assist sort out it. Images are shared on the subscriber chat for feedback and suggestions.

After two weeks of flu I’m now feeling higher and am prepared to start my photographic journey into 2026. I hope you’ll all be part of me in a roundabout way whether or not that’s on a workshop, stroll or simply via the pages of Substack. It will probably be nice to have your organization.

Leave a remark

Share